Month: January 2012

Vitabath asked image consultant Samantha von Sperling, a contributor to Diva Gals and The Times Square Chronicles, if she would consider contributing to the Vitabath blog. We are so excited that Samantha graciously agreed to write an article for us. Below, Samantha offers insight on how the New Year is an opportunity to start a fresh. You can learn more about Samantha von Sperling by visiting her website, SocialImage.net.

Many relationships do not survive the stress of the holidays, especially with the added pressure of a tough economy. Many of us start the New Year broken-hearted. Don’t be sad. This is a chance for you to concentrate on you, and to get a fresh start. Who knows? The next person in your life could be even better. And if he’s not, ditch him immediately and chalk it up as a ‘rebound guy’ thing. Better to be alone with your terrific self and extra time to take care of Number One than with someone who does not make you smile.

I know, it hurts so bad you feel like a Mayan sacrifice – like having your heart ripped from your chest while you’re still alive. You don’t see how you’re ever going to get over him and be happy again. I won’t sugar coat it. It might take a while. But I can tell you that you are stronger than you think. The pain lessens with time. The best we can do is try to learn from our relationships. The good and the bad. Time is what we don’t have lots of. Life is short. The sooner we can let it go the the better off we’ll be.

Working on ourselves is the fastest road to recovery: New Year’s resolutions, fresh perspectives, learning to relax, going to the gym, networking events, a book club, concentrating on our careers, letting go of useless relationships, and spending time with people that bring us joy. We need to get our homes, our minds, and ourselves neat, clean, and in order. Calm and happiness might take a while, but there’s a lot we can do to feel better right away. I’m a big advocate of “me time” and turning your bathroom into your own private spa. Especially after a breakup. Bring in music, candles, and herbal tea. (Okay, maybe a bottle of wine.)

Yes, sometimes it’s as easy as starting in the sanctuary of your own bathroom.

It’s now time to literally wash that man out of your hair. Give yourself a good scrub while you clear your head. Taking care of yourself is the first step on your road to recovery. I love potions and lotions for bath time. I am particularly fond of Vitabath’s Spa Skin Therapy Exfoliating Sugar Scrub. It gives you silky smooth skin. Use with a puff (or my choice a pink nylon wash cloth I bought in a Korean imports market). The combination gives me skin like the day I was born.

Sense memory can be very powerful. Vitabath’s Original Spring Green is a classic. It reminds me of bubble baths when I was a kid, and pre-date showers when I was a teenager. I still love its clean, fresh sent. It reminds me of getting ready for Saturday night dates with the radio on – of a vibrant outlook on life in a world that is filled with new possibilities. Just the right scent for washing away the memory of a man while making myself smell deliciously fresh with soft skin.

Sometimes a long scrub in the shower is the best way to collect one’s thoughts, or to just have a good cry. Wash everything away at the same time. It’s great multi-tasking.

I had a horrible break up in 2010 that ended in a terrible divorce in 2011. There were mornings and nights when my frozen Green Gel Eye Mask was my BFF. It gave my burning eyes a bit of relief, took down the swelling, and made it possible to see clients – to literally and figuratively face other people. In my line of work, I can’t be seen looking like a wreck.

I am relieved that 2010 and 2011 are behind me. I’m excited about creating new possibilities in 2012 and moving forward into a life that has a real chance for newfound happiness. This is why I am sharing with you some of the wisdom I’ve gained through experience. I wanted to give moral support to the sisterhood of broken hearts in a way that I wish had been shared with me.

SHINE. To Get In Shape 2012, it isn’t just about your body, it’s also about your teeth! Having healthy teeth and gums are important for optimal health — and if you can have a super white smile on top of it, that’s a plus. That’s why I’m loving Rembrandt. Yes, it has rapid-release peroxide that works on contact to release deep stains inside your teeth and make them super white, it also has Fluoride, which penetrates the tooth enamel to restore and strengthen teeth. And this should make you smile, Rembrandt is giving away a $5 coupon.

PRIMP. Style Gal loves beauty products, especially ones that do it all at once! That’s why I’m beaming over Cinema Secrets Polished Face by Samantha von Sperling. Why is it great? Beacuse this custom made kit is tailored to your taste, and you get two brushes. Oh, I’m giddy now! Here’s what you can get:

1. Multi-purpose brown shadow. It’s great for the crease, perfect for eyebrow filler, good as a lid color and perfect for contouring.
2. Pressed powder in your respective shade. This powder is lightweight and easy to apply.
3. Mascara in black. It’s an oh so adorable tube!
4. Eye and lip pencils.
5. Two palettes: one lipstick palette and one cream foundation palette. The cream foundation palette is a great for covering spots and blotches before adding powder
6. Whatever color eye shadow pot you want!

The system also offers face priming products that can give you a completely polished look! Interested? Click here to see pics of Samantha and the Polished Face.